Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL EMULGEL FOR MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC WOUND HEALING

Ms. Jayshree Ravindra Matade, Ms. Shraddha Madan Khaladkar*, Ms. Vaishnavi Dnyneshwar Langhe, Ms. Rutuja Satish Modhave, Mr. Gandharva Anil Marane

Abstract

Diabetic wounds are difficult to heal because hyperglycemia keeps the wound in a prolonged inflammatory state, increases oxidative stress, promotes infection, and delays collagen formation and re-epithelialization Diabetic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, represent one of the most serious complications associated with diabetes mellitus and are characterized by delayed healing, microbial infection, prolonged inflammation, and impaired tissue regeneration.[1] In this context, a Polyherbal emulgel containing Neolamarckia cadamba leaf extract and Terminalia arjuna bark extract is a rational topical system because emulgel can combine the spread ability and patient comfort of a gel with the solubilizing and delivery advantages of an emulsion.[2] N. cadamba contributes mainly anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support, while T. arjuna is strongly associated with wound-healing, antimicrobial, and collagen-promoting effects.[3,4] The present study focuses on the development and evaluation of a polyherbal emulgel formulation containing extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba and Terminalia arjuna for the management of diabetic wound healing. The selected medicinal plants are traditionally known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. The herbal extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, glycosides, and saponins responsible for therapeutic activity. The emulgel was prepared using Carbopol 934 as the gelling agent, olive oil as the oily phase, Tween 80 as the emulsifying agent, and propylene glycol as a penetration enhancer. Different formulations were developed by varying the concentration of herbal extracts and evaluated for physicochemical parameters including appearance, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, drug content uniformity, washability, skin irritation, and stability studies. The formulation concept is therefore aimed at improving wound contraction, epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and tissue remodeling in diabetic wounds through a multi-target herbal approach.[5] The study’s value lies in converting traditional medicinal knowledge into a modern topical dosage form suitable for chronic wound care.[2]

Keywords: Polyherbal emulgel; Neolamarckia cadamba; Terminalia arjuna; diabetic wound healing; topical herbal formulation; wound contraction; epithelialization; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antimicrobial activity.